INNERVATION OF ADRENAL CORTEX OF SYRIAN HAMSTER - FLUORESCENCE AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY

The innervation of the adrenal cortex of the Syrian Hamster is investigated by means of Falck's fluorescence method for the detection of catecholamines and with the electron microscope. Fluorescence microscopy: Green fluorescent nerve fibers are predominantly to be found in the capsule, in the pericapsular tissue and in the zona glomerulosa, closely attached to vessels and sinus. In the deeper zones almost all nerve fibers belong to the truncs extending into the adrenal medulla. Electron microscopy: Ganglion cells in the capsule show no peculiarities. There is a striking discrepancy between the intense fluorescence of the fibers and ganglion cells and the absence of an ultrastructural substrate for this phenomenon. Nerve fibers, surrounded by satellite cells, the single axons of which are about 0.4-1 μm thick pass through capsular and cortical tissue to reach the adrenal medulla. Similar small nerve fibers, the single axons of which are about 0.1-0.4 μm thick accompany arterioles and in part the sinus. In their terminal part the satellite envelope often disappears and the fibers show accumulations of synaptic and dense-cored vesicles. These terminals occasionally come into contact with endocrine cells of all zones, by perforating the basal membrane. The distance between nerve and endocrine cell is about 200 Å. Specific pre- and postsynaptic membranes are not developed. The term synapse" for these nerve endings appears to be justified and their significance is discussed on the base of physiological and pharmacological findings. © 1969 Springer-Verlag."